This website uses both its own and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services adapted to everyone's needs and interests.

In accordance with the EU "e-Privacy" Directive, in force since May 26, 2012 and with the provisions of Law no. 506 of November 17, 2004 regarding the processing of personal data and the protection of private life in the electronic communications sector, all website visitors are asked for their consent before cookies are sent to their computers.

What is a "cookie"?

An "Internet Cookie" (term also known as "browser cookie", "HTTP cookie" or simply "cookie") is a small file, consisting of letters and numbers, which will be stored on the computer, mobile terminal or other equipment of a user from which the Internet is accessed. The cookie is installed through the request issued by a web server to a browser (eg: Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely "passive" (it does not contain software programs, viruses or spyware and cannot access the information on the hard drive the user).

Purpose and use of cookies:

 "Cookies" play an important role in facilitating the access and delivery of the multiple services that the user enjoys on the Internet, such as:

• Customizing certain settings such as:

– the language in which a site is viewed;

– the currency in which certain prices or tariffs are expressed;

- accessing the old preferences by accessing the "Forward" and "Back" buttons.

• Cookies provide site owners with feedback on how their sites are used by users, so that they can make them even more efficient and accessible to users;
• Allow multimedia or other applications from other sites to be included in a particular site to create a more valuable, useful and enjoyable browsing experience;
• Improve the effectiveness of online advertising.

What are the advantages of cookies?

A cookie contains information that connects a web-browser (user) and a specific web-server (website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies provide users with a pleasant browsing experience and support the efforts of many websites to offer comfortable services to users: eg – online privacy preferences, site language options or relevant advertising.

What is the lifetime of a cookie?

Cookies are managed by web servers. The lifetime of a cookie can vary significantly, depending on the purpose for which it is placed. Some cookies are used exclusively for a single session (session cookies) and are no longer retained once the user has left the website, while other cookies are retained and reused every time the user returns to that website ('persistent cookies'). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through the browser settings.

What are cookies placed by third parties?

Certain sections of content on some sites may be provided through third parties / providers (eg: news box, a video or an advertisement). These third parties can place cookies through another website and they are called "third party cookies" because they are not placed by the owner of the respective website. Third party providers must also comply with applicable law and the privacy policies of the site owner.

These cookies may come from the following third parties: facebook.com, twitter.com, etc.

How cookies are used by the website

A visit to the website may place cookies for the purposes of:

• increase in website performance;
• visitor analysis;
• geotargetting;
• user registration.

Other third-party cookies

On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies in order to track the success of an application or to customize an application. Due to the way of use, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies owned by that website. For example, when the user shares an article using the social network button located on a website, that social network will record the user's activity, not the website on which the button is located.

What type of information is stored and accessed through cookies?

Cookies store information in a small text file that allows a website to recognize a browser. The web server will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted. The cookie stores important information that improves the Internet browsing experience, for example:

• the language settings in which you want to access a site;
• keeping a user logged in to the webmail account;
• online banking security;

Why are cookies important to the Internet?

Cookies represent the central point of the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to generate a friendly browsing experience adapted to the preferences and interests of each user. Rejecting or disabling cookies may make some websites impossible to use. Refusal or deactivation of cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive online advertising - but only that it will no longer be able to take into account the user's preferences and interests, highlighted by browsing behavior.

Examples of important uses of cookies (which do not require the authentication of a user through an account):

• content and services adapted to the user's preferences – categories of news, weather, sports, maps, public and government services, entertaining websites and tourism services;
• offers adapted to the interests of users – retention of passwords, language preferences (e.g.: display of search results in Romanian)
• retention of child protection filters regarding Internet content (family mode options, safe search functions);
• measurement, optimization and analytics features – such as: confirming a certain level of traffic on a website, what type of content is viewed and how a user arrives at a website (e.g. through search engines, directly, from other websites etc.). The owners of the websites run these analyzes to improve the websites, for the benefit of the users.

Security and privacy issues

Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed, nor can they run automatically. Consequently, they cannot be duplicated or replicated on other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. Cookies can, however, be used for negative purposes. Because they store information about users' preferences and browsing history, both on a particular website and on other websites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and constantly mark cookies for deletion as part of their anti-virus/anti-spyware deletion/scanning procedures. In general, browsers have integrated privacy settings, which provide different levels of cookie acceptance, validity period and automatic deletion after the user has visited a certain site.

Other security aspects related to cookies

Since identity protection is very valuable and represents the right of every Internet user, it is advisable to know what possible problems cookies can create.

Because through them, information is constantly transmitted, in both directions, between the browser and the website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intervenes during the data transmission, the information contained in the cookie can be intercepted. Although very rare, this can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (eg an unsecured WiFi network).

Other cookie-based attacks involve missetting cookies on web servers. If a website does not require the browser to use only encrypted channels, attackers can use this vulnerability to trick browsers into sending information over unsecured channels. The attackers then use the information to gain unauthorized access to certain websites.

It is very important for users to be careful in choosing the most suitable method of personal information protection.

Tips for safe and responsible browsing, based on cookies

Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited websites, including the largest ones, use cookies, they are almost unavoidable. Deactivating cookies will not allow the user access to the most widespread and used sites, including: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo and others.

Here are some tips that can ensure that you surf without worry, but with the help of cookies:

• customize your browser settings regarding cookies to reflect a comfortable level of cookie security for you;
• if you do not mind cookies and you are the only person using the computer, you can set long expiration periods for storing browsing history and personal access data;
• if you share computer access, you may consider setting your browser to delete individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is a variant to access the websites that place cookies and to delete any visit information, upon closing the browsing session;
• install and constantly update your antispyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of site attacks. Thus, it prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software;
• make sure your browser is always up to date. Many of the cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting the weak points of old versions of browsers.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided, especially if you want to enjoy access to the best and biggest sites on the Internet - local or international. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so that you can surf the Internet with confidence.

What do you do if you do not want cookies installed on your computer?

There are people for whom the storage of information extracted from their computer or mobile device is relatively invasive, especially when the information in question is stored and used by third parties unknown to them. If you prefer, you can block all cookies or only some of them or even remove cookies that have been installed on your terminal. However, be aware that you may not be able to use certain functions. To enable this block, you need to change your browser's privacy settings. Some third-party operators have developed tools whose modules allow opt-out of data collection and use. Disabling and refusing to receive cookies may make certain websites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Likewise, refusing to accept cookies does not mean that the user will no longer receive/see online advertising. It is possible to adjust the browser so that these cookies are no longer accepted, or the browser can be adjusted to accept cookies from a specific website. But, for example, if a user is not registered using cookies, he will not be able to leave comments. All modern browsers offer the possibility to change cookie settings.